In this excerpt from his thesis, Dr Ramesh Manocha talks about asthma.
Asthma is a multi-factorial disease in which environment, pathogens, allergens, genetics and psychology all play a part. The prevalence of asthma in industrialised countries is rising quickly with some studies showing that more than 10% of current school children in developed countries are affected by the disorder. Asthma is a major cause of absenteeism from school and work and may disrupt social relationships, future prospects and overall quality of life. Consequently, living with asthma generates a vulnerability to worry, anxiety, panic and depression.